[Spiritual Cases Arc] Part 101: Get Back Form The Storm

The eclectic group, featuring Yato, Rukia, Ichigo, Tatsuki, Orihime, Chad, Uryū, and Yoruichi, sprinted through the treacherous Dangai. Since only shinigami could rely on Hell Butterflies for a safer passage, the diverse group pressed forward despite having an official Senkaimon at their disposal. The urgency of their situation heightened as, to the group's misfortune, the ominous presence of the Kōtotsu reemerged.

Tatsuki: "Oh, come on! This is getting old!"

Yoruichi: "Keep the pace steady, everyone! We're almost there!"

As they approached the exit, the group realized they were suspended in midair, transitioning abruptly into a free fall that took them by surprise.

Yato, scanning their surroundings, couldn't help but note the stark contrast. When they departed the Soul Society, the sun painted the sky with morning hues, yet upon emerging from the Dangai, the world of the living lay beneath them cloaked in the serene darkness of night.

Just as the group started to acclimate to their gravity-defying descent, a sudden gunshot echoed through the air. In an instant, they found themselves enveloped by a mysterious fabric that seemed to materialize out of thin air. The fabric cocooned them tightly, leaving everyone in an awkward and uncomfortable tangle.

Ichigo: "Can't we catch a break for once?!" - He grumbled, struggling to free himself from the unexpected entanglement.

Tatsuki: "Typical. Just when you think things can't get weirder." - Her voice muffled by the fabric, responded with a mix of irritation and humor.

Yato: "Guys, try to keep it down! I think I heard something..." - He spoke, his voice muffled by the fabric enveloping the entire group.

As the group attempted to maintain silence, they could discern an exuberant and youthful voice.

???: "Yeah!!!! Here It comes!!!!"

Rukia: "What was that?!" - She asked, unable to see what was happening outside as she was confined with the others.

???: "Jinta Home Ru–!!!"

???: "Tessai Death Catch!!!"

The group experienced the jolt of impact and a dizzying spin, eventually finding what felt like solid ground. A quick movement removed the concealing fabric, revealing an unexpected scene. They were now situated on a flying contraption, surrounded by the young duo, Ururu and Jinta. Tessai loomed behind the group, a stoic figure observing their reaction, while Urahara stood at the front, his back turned to the newcomers.

Urahara: "Welcome back~ Everyone~!"

Ichigo: "...Urahara...san."

Urahara, standing on the flying contraption, broke the silence with a casual greeting.

Urahara: "Hello, Kurosaki-san." - He addressed Ichigo, his voice holding a certain nonchalance. There was a moment of quiet, a pause with unspoken tension. - "Kuchiki-san..." - Urahara continued, not turning to face the group. - "I suppose you heard about me."

Ichigo, his gaze averted, seemed lost in thought, while Rukia's reaction was more pronounced. She subtly narrowed her eyes, a mix of suspicion and curiosity lingering in her expression.

Yato: "Yeah..." - He respondes maintaining an air of indifference.

In a surprising turn of events, Urahara removed his hat, an action signaling a rare display of sincerity. Slowly turning to face the group, he placed the hat against his chest and, with a gesture unexpected from the enigmatic shopkeeper, knelt with a bowed head.

Urahara's voice, usually laced with playfulness, took on a genuine tone.

Urahara: "I'm… truly sorry." - The words hung in the air.

The group was taken aback by Urahara's unexpected gesture, and a moment of hushed silence hung in the air. Ichigo, with a disgruntled expression, broke the quietude, saying.

Ichigo: "Stop." - He continued in a somewhat petulant tone. - "I'm not mad. I don't know what your intentions were... but we wouldn't have been able to save Rukia without your help. So, don't apologize."

Urahara glanced briefly at Ichigo before shifting his gaze to Rukia. Her softened expression, coupled with a silent acknowledgment, suggested she shared Ichigo's sentiments.

Throughout the conversation, Yato gazed off to the side, observing the cityscape while the others focused on Urahara.

Ichigo: "Just answer me one thing... you kept it a secret because you thought I'd chicken out, didn't you?"

Urahara: "Ah... Exactly~!!" - His jest was short-lived as Ichigo promptly delivered an elbow to his face.

Ichigo: "Now that makes me mad."

As group members observed the scene, Urahara, nursing his face after the unexpected elbow, turned his attention toward Yato, who maintained his disinterest.

Urahara: "Yasakani-san... I hope the items you purchased served you well."

Yato: "Ah... yeah... they were..." - Yato responded vaguely, his gaze fixed on the city below.

Urahara: "Next time, at least let me know when you're buying my merchandise~! I'd be happy to offer you a discount~."

Yato: "I'll keep that in mind..." - He casually remarked, his eyes fixed on the city below. Unbeknownst to him, Urahara, Rukia, Ichigo, Tatsuki, and Yoruichi exchanged glances, intrigued by Yato's nonchalant demeanor. - "By the way... It was morning when we left Soul Society, and now it's night...?" - He asked vaguely, attempting to steer the conversation away.

Urahara: "Allow me to explain, Yasakani-san." - Urahara began, adjusting his hat. His tone took on a scholarly air. - "The Dangai is an isolated space surrounded by numerous stacked-up layers of time's current, resulting in its time density being extremely high compared to other dimensions. In other words, time flows differently within the Dangai. One hour in the world of the living would be equivalent to 2000 hours within the Dangai."

Yoruichi: "But it so happens that during our passage through the Dangai, we were pursued by the Kōtotsu, resulting in a time distortion. We left the world of the living on August 8, and that would be the exact day of Rukia's execution. However, due to the time distortion, we arrived in Soul Society on August 1."

Yato: "So, we were pretty lucky…"

Yato's remark intrigued his friends, as it was rare to see him brooding. Although they understood the reason, the realization struck them with a sense of irony. If the plan had aimed for the exact day of Rukia's execution, it would have been futile, considering her execution had been postponed. In essence, they would arrive in Soul Society with Rukia already deceased, a somber twist to their mission. The mood among the group shifted, a mix of relief for Rukia and the heaviness of the unforeseen outcome.

Tatsuki: "We were chased by that thing again on our way back. So, how much time has passed?" - She voiced her curiosity with a puzzled expression.

Chad: "... We left Soul Society on August 13th. If the same thing happened as before, then today would be August 6th?" - He contemplated.

Orihime: "But if we left here on the 8th day, and today is the 6th day... Then it means there are other versions of us here!?" - She exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with a mix of astonishment and excitement.

Ichigo: "This is giving me a headache..." - He muttered, visibly irritated.

Urahara: "Actually, today is August 10th."

Uryū: "So the time distortion was smaller this time?" - He inquired, adjusting his glasses.

Yato: "Probably because the first time we were a bit slow, and Inoue-san still managed to touch the Kōtotsu with her shield." - He speculated, then flashed a playful smile. - "So, it wasn't luck. Inoue-san is the real hero." - He teased, earning genuine laughter from Rukia.

Tatsuki: "Way to go, Orihime!!" - She joined in the banter, playfully rubbing Inoue's head. Inoue, blushing slightly, responded with a sheepish chuckle.

Uryū: "By the way.." - The Quincy narrowed his eyes, glancing at Yato and Ichigo. - "When we were making our exit from Soul Society, Ukitake-san handed something to both of you, didn't he?"

Ichigo: "Oh, this thing." - He casually retrieved the badge from his shihakushō. - "It's a deputy shinigami combat pass. A deputy pass, in short."

Ichigo shared the exact words Ukitake used, and Yato noticed a contemplative expression on Uryū's face, especially when Ichigo mentioned the significance of the combat pass being granted to those beneficial to the Soul Society.

Orihime: "Hey, Ishida-kun! Isn't that your house down there?" - She pointed in the direction of the house, drawing the group's attention.

Uryū: "Oh…Yeah. Urahara-san, you can drop me here!"

Urahara: "Alright~!"

As the Quincy prepared to disembark, Ichigo's voice halted him.

Ichigo: "Until next time, Ishida."

Uryū: "Did you forget…Kurosaki?" - He shifted his tone, speaking more seriously. - "You're a shinigami, and I'm—"

Yato: "A bore." - Yato cut in abruptly, injecting a dose of humor and breaking the tension. - "No one cares about that. Just go home and stop trying to look cool."

Uryū: "How rude, Yasakani!" - He retorted, a comical vein popping on his forehead due to Yato's interruption. - "Anyway. Goodbye." - He leaped onto the street in front of his house as the others gradually distanced themselves.

Tatsuki: "Geez...you really know how to kill the mood." - She smirked, rolling her eyes playfully.

Yato: "It's one of my talents." - He chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Rukia: "It's good to see that Ishida remains the same after everything that happened." - She commented with a small smile, her gaze thoughtful.

Orihime: "Ishida-kun just says those things for the sake of saying it. But...I like that about him." - She smiled warmly, her eyes reflecting affection.

Chad: "Me too." - He nodded in agreement.

Tatsuki: "You two are way too kind…"

Ichigo: "You guys are more forgiving than I am." - He stated with a hint of sarcasm, crossing his arms.

After flying over a few houses, Orihime asks Urahara to stop upon spotting her home.

Orihime: "Well, here's my stop." - She commented about to descend.

Tatsuki: "I'm getting off here too, Orihime. See you later, guys." - She was about to follow Inoue but turned suddenly. "Hey, Yato."

Yato: "Huh?" - He looked at her with curiosity.

Tatsuki extended her closed hand toward Yato, a playful glint in her eyes as she smiled, her features softened.

Yato, momentarily taken aback, looked at her fist, puzzling over the gesture. Suddenly, it clicked in his mind – the promise they made before venturing into the Soul Society to save Rukia and return home safely. A small, genuine smile formed on his lips, and he reciprocated the fist bump with a subtle nod.

Tatsuki: "I haven't forgotten the scare you gave me. I'm still going to beat you up for that." - She chuckled, the threat laced with camaraderie, and then gracefully leaped down to the street, joining Inoue.

Yato: "...Oh."

As trio hovered over the city once again. It didn't take long for Chad to bid farewell and head home, leaving only Yato, Rukia, and Ichigo alongside Urahara's shop workers.

Rukia: "Urahara." - Her gaze turned toward Urahara, her voice cutting through the quiet air.

Urahara, facing away from them, seemingly immersed in his thoughts, responded.

Urahara: "It's about the Hōgyoku, isn't it?" - He guessed the topic without needing to look at the shinigami. - "If possible, I'd like for you to give me a little bit of time. During your absence in the world of the living, some individuals took advantage and caused a few problems. It's not something I'd like to inform you of immediately. After all, considering all you've been through, you all deserve some rest."

Yato: "What kind of problems?" - He asked genuinely curious.

Urahara: "So far, it's nothing too serious. Thanks to the time distortion, technically, you've only spent 2 days in Soul Society. So, it wasn't enough time for the problem to worsen. But I suggest that once you've had your proper rest, you come to my shop to discuss this."

Ichigo: "Can't catch a break, can we?" - He rolled his eyes.

Yato turned his gaze back to the city below, contemplating the potential issues beyond Hollows. His expression soured, realizing that Urahara's plans didn't involve an immediate removal of the Hōgyoku from Rukia. Yato suspected the shopkeeper had other motives.

Yato: 'Guess he wants to keep that thing in Rukia's body a bit longer to see what unfolds.' - He stood up, capturing everyone's attention. - "Well... I'm gonna bail here."

Urahara: "But we haven't reached your place yet." - Urahara remarked.

Yato: "I know, but now that I'm finally back, I feel like taking a stroll." - He nonchalantly commented, preparing to jump.

As Yato prepared to jump, Rukia and Ichigo rose to their feet, exchanging glances with Yato.

Ichigo: "Yeah, I'll do the same. Guess we're all in the mood for a walk. Later, Urahara-san!" - He spoke briskly, a mix of determination and readiness in his expression.

Urahara looked slightly bemused, watching the trio as they gracefully leaped into the city.

The trio descended onto the familiar streets of Karakura. The night air carried a soothing breeze, and the ambient sounds of the city embraced them.

As they reached the Onose River, they halted and gazed at the tranquil water flowing beneath the moonlit sky. The city's hustle and bustle seemed distant, leaving them in a serene moment of reflection.

Yato: "Feels good to be back. No more crazy detours or time distortions." - He remarked, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Rukia: "Indeed. It's comforting to have a moment of peace." - She agreed, her eyes scanning the rippling water.

Ichigo: "Feels like it's been ages since we were here." - He remarked, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

Ichigo, after a few moments, turned to Yato and Rukia.

Ichigo: "I guess I'll head home. Got a lot to process. See you both later." - He said, his tone showing his exhaustion.

Rukia: "Take care." - She offered a small smile.

Ichigo nodded and walked away, disappearing into the night. Yato and Rukia remained by the river, the sounds of the city humming in the background.

Rukia: "Yato, are you alright?" - She asked, concern lacing her voice.

Yato: "Yeah, just thinking about everything. The Hōgyoku, Aizen...more problems... It's a lot to take in." - He admitted, his gaze fixed on the water.

Rukia: "We'll face whatever comes our way together." - She reassured him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Yato turned to her, a hint of gratitude in his eyes.

Yato: "Guess we will." - He replied, a soft smile forming.

They stood by the river, a sense of closure enveloping them. The night embraced the trio, and as they walked away from the Onose River, the city lights continued to illuminate their path.